At our school, senior nights are more than just celebrations, they are cherished traditions that bring together athletes, families, and the community to honor the hard work and dedication of the school’s graduates. It’s a memory that seniors will remember for years to come. The nights feature special ceremonies, emotional tributes, and unforgettable moments that leave a lasting impression.

For Elizabeth Schwab, a senior athlete at our school, senior night is a time to celebrate both individual achievements and bonds formed through the season. Schwab, who has played on the varsity volleyball and soccer team for three years, has experienced the full spectrum of senior night traditions.

“[For volleyball] we decorate the senior’s cars, have a dinner the night before in honor of the seniors, and we also make gifts to give to each senior and [for soccer] we make scrapbooks for the seniors, and for both we have a balloon arch where people walk through with their families,” Schwab said.

These thoughtful traditions create a memorable experience for each senior, but it’s the sense of community that stands out to Schwab.

“My favorite memory was the team coming together to celebrate us, it made me feel valued and it made me feel like I had more of an impact than during the day to day practices or games,” Schwab said.

In terms of community coming together, current freshman football coach and former varsity football and basketball player Joe McBride recalls a fond memory of his senior night and what it meant to his family.

“It meant a little bit extra because my dad’s senior year at Yorktown was Coach Hansen’s first year coaching so we were the first father and son that had senior night with the same coach so we felt a deep connection, a deep pride from that,” McBride said.

McBride’s favorite part of senior night was the time spent with his parents. He enjoyed them being able to witness all of the hard work he had put in throughout the season in one game. Similarly, senior and cheer co-captain, Amna Altuhami was grateful for her family being there on her big day.

“I felt really happy and I loved having my whole family there to walk me out and be a part of the day,” Altuhami said.

Altuhami, who has been on our school’s varsity cheer team for three years, has enjoyed the experience of each senior night. In particular, she enjoyed the annual cheer team pre-game banquet. At the banquet, their coach gives a speech about each senior followed by a gift.

Among the presents given to families and seniors is their senior’s face on a bighead poster, a newer tradition, but a fun one nonetheless. It’s a creative way to personalize the night for each senior, and Altuhami appreciates the freedom in choosing certain things for the event.

“I like that each senior gets to pick their own hairstyle and what color and design goes on the shirts, it’s really cool because each year is different,” Altuhami said.

Speaking of a team that mixes it up every year, our school’s ultimate frisbee team is all about variety. Senior and captain Eleanor Green mentioned that different themes every year is part of what makes it so special.

“We like to do a theme for a game, a home game specifically. I’ve been here for royalty night, flannel night, bandana night, and our most recent founding fathers night. Our coach dressed up as George Washington and we all wore USA gear,” Green said.

Although the theme night is exciting, Green’s favorite memory is a tradition called senior point. The last point of the game is dedicated to the seniors where they all play together one last time. However, Green also acknowledged the feelings that come along with that final point.

“I was thinking this is my last point, and I realized that this is the end of the season, the last time I’ll be wearing this jersey and it was pretty sad,” Green said.

Luckily, Green’s contribution to the team will live on through the tradition that she started her sophomore year,gifting mini frisbees to seniors to have something to remember the team by. She has the entire team sign one for each senior and presents it to them at the end of season party. It’s a fitting farewell for the seniors, marking the end of a chapter in a fun and meaningful way.

Whether a party is thrown or faces are plastered on bigheads, it’s clear that our school loves celebrating our seniors. Ultimately, senior night is more than just a celebration of athletic achievement; it’s a chance to acknowledge the bonds formed through years of teamwork and dedication.